These are the best 20 new restaurants in and around Calgary, says food critic John Gilchrist

This year was a roller-coaster ride for Calgary restaurants.

Calgarians saw the departure of fine old places such as TheBelvedere, Catch,Divino, Bistro Rouge, Glory of India and more.

But while downtown establishments continue to suffer from the economy as well asincreased taxes, salaries and food costs, more and more restaurants opened.

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There was anincreasingly casual approach to finedining, more chain restaurants especially those from Asiaand revived interest in Italian cuisine. Plus there was a greater focus on vegetable-forward menus.

While Calgary didn't see the major openings of yearspast, some very good restaurants arrived on the local scene this year.

Here are my picks for the top 20 new places to check out, as shared with the Calgary Eyeopener Friday morning.

1.Cotto

Chef Giuseppe DiGennaro(Capo,Borgo) returns to the culinary scene with another winner inCotto. His classic Italian comfort food spaghetticarbonara, pastafagioli, roasted tomatobruschetta is given a modern spin yet remains simple and sublime. Try the stewed eggplantfunghettoand expect skilled service to match the food.

• 31410th St.N.W., 587-356-4088

2. Pad Thai

In a city dotted with fine Thai restaurants,Pad Thaistands out for the complexity of its food and the clarity of its flavours. Plus some unique dishes pinwheel dumplings, shrimp rolls with cucumber sauce a pleasant setting and gracious service from sisters Patcharin Smith and Pornuma Worasuksri. Good wines, too.

• 3106Fourth St.N.W., 403-800-0567

3. Elbow Room

Britannia has been brightened by the energy of partners Ryan Blackwell and Josh Brennand, the design of Sarah Ward and the bright, contemporary cuisine ofElbow Room. The stylish food and setting help change the perception of what a suburban restaurant can be.

• 802 49th Ave.S.W. (Britannia Plaza), 403-460-8128

4. Afghan Kabob

One of the most difficult-to-find restaurants in the city even Google gets lost Afghan Kabobis worth the search for richly flavoured Afghan cuisine. That includes a wealth of kabobs as well as "nakhot" chickpeas, mantu steamed dumplings and a lovely braised lamb leg.

• 5150 47th St. N.E., 403-455-0602

5.Tavernetta

Tavernettacontinues this year's Italian resurgence with kale, goat cheese, roasted grape and hazelnut salad; bucatini with guanciale, pecorino and black pepper; and straight-up meatballs all in a refurbished historic house with a great backyard patio and bocce court.

• 1002 Edmonton Trail N.E., 403-250-8894

6. Two Penny

One of the hippest, hottest and best looking restaurants of the year,Two Pennyis a large room Sarah Ward channeling 1920s Shanghai-deco with familiar and updated pan-Chinese dishes such as a beef-and-broccoli dish done with slow-roasted Wagyu brisket.

• 1213 First St.S.W., 403-474-7766

7. Provision

Located in Central Memorial Park,Provisionwas formerly known as Boxwood and has been taken over and refreshed by Jackie Cooke and Kirk Shaw of Avec Bistro. It's light and lodgey with Daniel Pizzaro's skilled menu of roasted Brussels sprouts, charred cabbage and lamb saddle with chickpea puree.

• 340 13th Ave.S.W., 403-263-0766

8. Blake

The talented Blake Flann has a big beast to wrestle in his newBlakerestaurant in Canmore. This year's winner of the annual Gold Medal Plates competition is capable of great things on a menu that spans the globe.

• 810 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, 403-675-3663

9. Calcutta Cricket Club

A beauty of a restaurant, designed by Maya Gohill, matching its sister spotTwo Penny,Calcutta Cricket Cluboffers a take on Bengali cuisine including a fine pork butter masala and Tiger beer-marinated portobello mushrooms.

• 340 17th Ave.S.W., 403-719-1555

10.Masala Bhavan

South Indian dosas and Chettinadu fish curry come to Calgary's southwest in an unassuming spot near Mount Royal University. The staff atMasalaBhavangrind their own rice and lentils for their dosas and prepare all their spices and sauces on-site for a traditional experience.

• 4604 37th St. S.W. (Sarcee Plaza), 403-460-4535

11. Wednesday Room

The only downtown restaurant to appear on this year's list, theWednesday Roombrings the 1960s lounge esthetic to life in a stylish (and orange-brown) setting with food and smart drinks to match.

• 118 Stephen Ave.S.W., 403-452-5080

12. Empire Provisions

Charcuterie is taken to the next level by Dave Sturies and Karen Kho atEmpire Provisions'new Haysboro location. More than just meat, they serve breakfast and lunch, too.

• 8409 Elbow Dr.S.W., 403-244-0570

13. Donna Mac

"New Neighbourhood Cuisine" rules atDonna Macroasted beets with grapefruit and fromage blanc, grilled endive with buttermilk soubise and a pork, cabbage and pear salad.

• 1002 Ninth St.S.W., 403-719-3622

14. The Eden

Inglewood's 1912-built Burn Building is the perfect setting for a little French-inspired, "blue collar" bistrocalledThe Eden,run by Rob, Nadine and Rose Eden.

• 1219 Ninth Ave. S.E., 403-266-1005

15. Big Sky BBQ Pit

Roll down your car window while driving Highway 2A to Okotoks and you'll smell good barbecue smoke and maybe even hear the blues wailing. Pull in toBig Skyfor some smoky treats.

• 306016 15th Street E., Okotoks, 403-938-0701

16. First & Vine

Michael Frayne, formerly of The Nash and Notable, brings tasty wine bar cuisine to Airdrie atFirst & Vinewith Moroccan lamb ribs, pheasant confit ravioli and a seriously decadent burger.

• 136 First Ave.N.E., Airdrie, 403-980-9463

17. Pinky's

Liver and onions one piece or two and hot turkey sandwiches fill the plates atPinky'sin Canmore's Legion, one of the best (and best-priced) eateries in the mountains.

• 834 Seventh St., Canmore, 403-609-5051

18. Hot Million Indian Cuisine

Seriously good Northern Indian food, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, is served atHot Millionin Calgary's northeast.

• 2125 36th Street N.E., 403-798-6619

19.Kurry Up!

Jassie Bakshi shifted from his downtown Glory of India to a huge food truck calledKurry Up!that roams the city with fine Indian foodat great prices.

• Look for the truck at Edmonton Trail and 21st Avenue N.E. or in Westhills, 403-351-7900

20. Madison's 1212

They can nacho almost anything atMadison's 1212 bulgogi beef, poke tuna, smoked ham and pineapple, even apple pie with great success.

• 1212 NinthAve.S.E., 403-452-4970

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• Calgary Eyeopener restaurant reviewer John Gilchrist can be reached at escurial@telus.net or at 403-235-7532 or followedon Twitter@GilchristJohn